Neutral and positively charged dyes for electrophoresis sample loading solutions

Abstract

A method of electrophoretically separating bioorganic molecules is disclosed. The method uses a slab electrophoresis gel and positively or neutrally charged dyes to prevent the dyes from interfering with the gel readout.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of electrophoretically separating biomolecules using a slab of a porous electrophoresis gel in buffer, the gel having length and width dimensions and defining plural wells adapted to receive samples for separation, comprising the steps of: adding a sample of bioorganic molecules to be separated to a solution containing a charged dye wherein the net charge of the dye in solution is neutral or positive, thereby to provide a loading solution,   introducing an aliquot of the loading solution to one of the wells with the aid of the dye, and   applying a voltage across one of the gel dimensions to cause the bioorganic molecules to migrate through that gel dimension in a first directional sense and the dye molecules either not to migrate in the gel or to migrate in a second directional sense in the opposite direction to the first directional sense, whereby the dye and the bioorganic molecules are driven differently to reduce interference between the dye and the bioorganic molecules.   
     
     
       2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the dye is positively charged and are selected from the group consisting essentially of Brilliant Green, Methyl Blue, Methyl Green, Bismark Brown Y, Bismark Brown R, Malchite Green, Neutral Red, Tolonium Chloride, and Crystal Violet. 
     
     
       3. A method according to claim 1 wherein the dye is neutral and selected from the group consisting essentially of Acramine Yellow, Sudan III, Alizarine Blue, Alizarine Orange, Gallacetophenone, Hematoxylin, Scarlet Red, Alizarin, Gallein, and Blue Dextran. 
     
     
       4. A method according to claim 1 wherein the dye is crystal violet. 
     
     
       5. A method according to claim 1 wherein the dye is blue dextran. 
     
     
       6. A method according to claim 1 wherein the loading solution includes formamide. 
     
     
       7. A method according to claim 1 wherein the dye in solution is neutral.